What’s Inside the Latest Issue 10 April 2026 | News, Views and Analysis for a Sector on the Move LEAD STORY Expanding Contactless Travel Across England New national transport strategy gives local leaders ‘the powers to build transport networks that are simpler, more accessible and better connected’ The government’s...
New national transport strategy gives local leaders ‘the powers to build transport networks that are simpler, more accessible and better connected’ Nottingham and Derby’s ‘Ride’ app is a ‘gold standard example’ of integration Tap-and-go travel across buses, trains, and trams will benefit more cities and towns across England...
Wrightbus decries “national scandal” and McGill’s considers legal action. Alexander Dennis announces Falkirk closure with loss of up to 115 jobs Jo Bamford, owner of Ballymena-based bus builder Wrightbus, attacked the “national scandal” of ScotZEB3 The Scottish Government and its Transport Scotland agency would have been expecting a backlash...
It should be so simple, shouldn’t it? The Your Bus Journey survey shows us who’s getting it right for their customers, and who isn’t When I joined the bus industry in 2008, I recall a very experienced train operating company managing director telling me how much he’d love...
Authorities need to prioritise data to strengthen performance regimes and effectively deliver reliable franchised bus services Powers have been made available to authorities to take control of buses BY Brian O’Rourke, CitySwift As the UK shifts from deregulated, commercial bus services to franchised networks, the role of transport authorities...
A conversation with Dr Jenny Wood, head of sustainability at Worldline, about the path to net zero Dr Jenny Wood, head of sustainability at Worldline Frictionless travel is often positioned as sustainable. Is that always the case? It’s more nuanced than that. It can improve the customer experience and...
As the deadline for LiPTA nominations approaches, Chris Cheek reports on the verdict of industry experts on the importance of leadership The lunchtime Presentation Ceremony will take place at indigo at O2 in London on July 16 Ever since we launched the new Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards (LiPTA)...
A message from Transaid International development organisation Transaid is making the return of Transaid Month this May, encouraging colleagues, supporters and friends of the charity to celebrate and promote its sustainable development programmes, as well as raise vital funds. Transaid works with communities, partners, and governments to address transport challenges across sub-Saharan Africa,...
The new ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ brand reflects the region’s pride in taking back control of its public transport services and its determination to build something better South Yorkshire People’s Network brand revealed last week South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has unveiled the ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ – a new vision and brand...
There’s more than a hint of nostalgia about the new ‘People’s Network’, but those in charge of delivering it are not wearing rose-tinted spectacles The ‘People’s Republic of South Yorkshire’ brand South Yorkshire’s decision to name its new unified, publicly-controlled public transport network the ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ will have raised eyebrows in...
Artificial intelligence seen as an enabling technology Verma: ‘AI means whatever you want it to mean’ Artificial intelligence featured prominently across multiple sessions at Transport Ticketing Global in London last week, with speakers broadly converging on its role as an enabling technology rather than a standalone solution. In a session titled ‘Beyond AI:...
I tested the service provided by municipally-owned Warrington’s Own Buses and spoke to the company’s MD, Ben Wakerley Warrington’s Own Buses is part of the ‘yellow wave’ in the North West Warrington sits between Liverpool (formerly one of the biggest ports in the World) and Manchester (the first industrial city in the...
Do you answer your emails? For a sector in that exists to connect people I believe that our communications skills could be better I’ll be honest, and this isn’t me blowing my own trumpet, but I’ve been inundated this last week with folk contacting me with comments regarding my last article regarding great...
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink the railway James Bain speaking at Transport Ticketing Global BY Worldline’s Global COO James Bain The UK rail industry stands at a watershed moment in its long and illustrious history. It’s a chance we must seize immediately to ensure our communities and society as a whole can flourish for...
Transport authorities and operators are under pressure to boost ridership, cut congestion and support climate goals. Ticketing technology can help Last year’s Transport Ticketing Global As transport professionals from all over the world prepare to gather for the Transport Ticketing Global show at Olympia London on March 17-18, the power of transport ticketing to...
Combined authority moves towards first bus franchising contract awards as depot acquisitions and zero-emission fleet procurement progress Contract awards, depot plans and fleet procurement are progressing The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) expects to finalise the first round of bus franchising contract awards in June as the region continues preparations for the introduction of...
Urban Transport Group’s annual report on the state of transport in England and Wales offers insights on shifting travel patterns In the most recent year, bus patronage in Greater Manchester grew by 11% BY Tom Ellerton, UTG Each year when we publish Inside track, the Urban Transport Group’s annual report on the state of...
The launch of the ‘Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards’ got me thinking about what makes a good leader – and a bad one Transport Events Group, the provider of the only industry shindig worth attending (the UK Bus Awards), has launched the inaugural ‘Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards’ for 2026. Led by all-round...
How INIT has successfully modernised fare collection to improve global mobility and inclusion Across the world, transport authorities share a common goal: to make public transport more attractive, easier to use and accessible to everyone. While vehicles and infrastructure often take centre stage, ticketing plays a critical role in whether people choose to...
The future’s bright, the future’s yellow